Mikus’ story

I had been following ERA news for several years and had come across the calls for both long-term and short-term fellowships. After carefully reviewing the application requirements, I realised that they were entirely feasible, and I decided to take the chance and apply for the short-term exchange programme.
The ERA short-term fellowship is an excellent opportunity for both residents and certified specialists to broaden their knowledge and clinical skills — either by joining their "dream clinic" or by attending a highly specialised centre where access to certain procedures or techniques might be limited in their home country.
One of the main advantages of the programme is its duration. Not everyone — especially residents in their final year or those with family obligations — can commit to six months or more abroad. The short-term format offers a compact yet intensive experience that still provides meaningful professional development within a shorter timeframe.
Overall, I fully support this initiative and genuinely hope the programme continues to thrive and expand in the coming years.

Absolutely. ERA is a key organisation not only for nephrologists but also serves as a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration in the care of patients with kidney-related diseases. Being selected through a competitive process to take part in a fellowship organised by such a respected body is a notable achievement that definitely deserves to be highlighted on one’s CV.
Thanks to the fellowship, I had the opportunity to study at the Nephrology Department of the Hospital Clínic in Barcelona — one of the leading nephrology centres in both Spain and Europe, particularly known for its excellence in kidney transplantation. It's difficult to imagine this experience would have been possible without the support of the fellowship.

I am currently in my final year of nephrology residency and will soon be a certified specialist. During my time in Barcelona, I had the unique chance to observe and participate in the workflow of both residents and fully qualified nephrologists. I saw several practices that I would be eager to implement in Latvia in the future.
The experience boosted my confidence significantly. Initially, I worried that coming from a small country like Latvia, I might feel out of place in such a large and well-established institution. But working alongside my Spanish colleagues, I realised that our knowledge base and the clinical guidelines we follow are remarkably similar. This reassured me about the quality of my training and confirmed that I’m well-prepared to contribute internationally.
Of course, there were many things I didn’t know, but the team in Barcelona was incredibly welcoming and generous in sharing their expertise. I was able to strengthen and broaden my knowledge in nephrology throughout the fellowship.

During my stay in Barcelona, I made many new friends — both from Spain and from around the world. The hospital hosted residents from various countries, which gave us the chance to exchange experiences, discuss medical education systems, and gain insights into how nephrology is practiced elsewhere.
Naturally, these conversations also extended to research topics and potential collaborative projects — something I am very open to pursuing in the future.
My main goal during the fellowship was to deepen my understanding of kidney transplantation, especially in complex cases such as high-risk patients or re-transplantations, as well as to strengthen my knowledge of intensive care nephrology.
Having returned to Latvia, I feel more equipped and confident, particularly in the field of nephrology in the ICU setting, where I now plan to develop a specialised nephrology ICU service in the future.
Overall, I would describe my fellowship as not only an intellectually enriching experience but also a wonderful opportunity to engage with local culture and traditions — a true professional and personal journey.